Roster cuts, budget cuts

CINCINNATI -- The Bengals saved more than $9 million yesterday but might have gambled something more valuable than salary-cap space: leadership, depth and good will.

CINCINNATI -- The Bengals saved more than $9 million yesterday but might have gambled something more valuable than salary-cap space: leadership, depth and good will.

The team released veteran offensive tackle Willie Anderson, perhaps the most popular player among teammates; running back Rudi Johnson, once one of the stars of a high-powered offense; and former Pro Bowl cornerback Deltha O'Neal. The trio would have made a combined $9.2 million to be backups, and each was slowed in recent weeks by injuries.

In their stead, the Bengals have Stacy Andrews at right tackle and Chris Perry at running back, in what would be each player's first full season as a starter. Scott Kooistra and guard Andrew Whitworth become the primary backups at tackle, and career backup Kenny Watson and seldom-used DeDe Dorsey are the backups at running back. The four cornerbacks on the roster have a combined four seasons in the NFL.

Coach Marvin Lewis said health, not price tag or exper-ience, was the biggest factor.

"It's important that we start the season healthy," he said. "I've made that very clear from the start. ... We're going to move on and try to find the best other guys, because we've got to have guys we can count on all the time."

The Bengals cut 22 players in all yesterday to get their roster to 53. They can sign players to the practice squad beginning at noon today, and it's possible they will claim a few players off waivers.

Undrafted cornerback Simeon Castille is still on the roster, as is Carson Palmer's brother Jordan as the third quarterback. The Bengals kept six safeties, five defensive tackles and three centers because key players at those positions are still recovering from injuries, albeit injuries that are not expected to linger.

It is all subject to change as the Bengals peruse the waiver wire. Lewis also kept open the possibility that the team will re-sign one of the veterans at a lower salary.

The production of Anderson, Johnson and O'Neal fell off last season, "and we just haven't seen a lot of change," Lewis said. Johnson missed most of training camp because of a nagging hamstring injury, and Anderson and O'Neal had occasional days off to rest their legs.

Johnson was set to make $3.2 million this season. Anderson was due $3.15 million in salary; he was paid a $2 million roster bonus in January. O'Neal was due $2.85 million.

Anderson was the senior Bengal and perhaps the most respected player on the team. Asked if he feared losing that leadership, Lewis pointed out that the team played much of last season without Anderson, then added, "You don't miss a person unless he's playing for you."

While Lewis's logic is questionable, the team's direction is indisputable. The Bengals are younger, cheaper and healthier today than they were last week.